University of Florida an Admixture of Primary and Secondary Sources Discussion

This week, we have an admixture of primary and secondary sources.

The Primary Sources are:

1)Baghdad by Al-Yaqubi

2) Roman Envoys at the Court of Attila by Priscus

3) Al Bakri on West Africa

4) On the Characteristics of Different Countries by Al Muqaddasi

The Secondary Sources are:

1) The Foundations of Christian Society in Western Europe by Bentley

2) Postimperial Worlds: Problems of Empires in Eurasia and Africa, ca. 200 to ca. 700 C.E. by Fernando Armesto

You have to answer TWO questions from the question bank below. You have to answer one question from secondary sources (Questions 1-3) and one question from primary sources (Questions 4-6) (Instructions: Do follow the Professor’s lectures to answer them, also please copy/paste the questions you are responding to. The responses should be within 250 words in total):

1) What were the characteristics of the European successor states following “barbarian” invasions? How did the “barbarian” invaders adapt to the European states? What were the different responses to ninth century invasions in Europe and British isles?(Give examples)

2) Explain with examples the socio-political makeup of Medieval Europe (include, lord-retainers, serfs). Evaluate the rise of monasticism

3) Explain how the history of Teotihuacan compares to histories of other Eurasian states. How did states in the outskirts of “Empires” develop?

4) Use Priscus’ description of his encounter with the Huns and explain how the invaders assimilated with post-imperial states.

5) Compare the descriptions of Baghdad by Al Yaqubi and Al Muqaddasi and explain the similarities and differences. Why do you think that is the case?

6) What can you garner about the society and state of West Africa from Al Bakri’s account?